PRESS RELEASE

RP-Iran 2^nd Joint Consular Commission Meeting (JCCM)

03 August 2008-Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. led the Philippine delegation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Tehran during the 2^nd Joint Consular Commission Meeting (JCCM) with the Islamic Republic of Iran on 02-03 August in Tehran.

In their opening statements, the heads of the delegations expressed great satisfaction over the expansion of consular relations between their two countries. Both sides, emphasized the implementation of the provisions of the First Joint Consular Meeting held in Manila on 06 March 2007.

The talks covered a wide range of consular issues, particularly on matters that affect the assistance to and protection of nationals (e.g. notification of arrests and detention, and access to prisoners) and creating the proper environment and administrative arrangements that will be conducive to the expansion of scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries through the facilitation of entry into each other’s territories.

Discussions were also held to explore the forging of agreements in the areas of visa waiver for diplomatic passport holders, the transfer of sentenced persons, mutual legal assistance, the extradition of criminals, the combating of terrorism and transnational crimes and the mutual recognition of academic degrees issued by their respective educational institutions. Both sides expressed confidence that negotiations for these agreements would be completed for signing during the 5^th Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries in October 2008.